ERIC ED448991: Wilderness Medicine Newsletter, 2000: For the Recognition, Treatment, and Prevention of Wilderness Emergencies.

51 Pages·2000·1.3 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
RC 022 799
ED 448 991
Weber, Holly A., Ed.
AUTHOR
Wilderness Medicine Newsletter, 2000: For the Recognition,
TITLE
Treatment, and Prevention of Wilderness Emergencies.
Wilderness Medicine Newsletter, Inc., Conway, NH.
INSTITUTION
ISSN-1059-6518
ISSN
2000-00-00
PUB DATE
50p.; For volume 10, see ED 437 240. Published bimonthly.
NOTE
Wilderness Medicine Newsletter, P.O. Box 3150, Conway, NH
AVAILABLE FROM
03818 (1-year subscription: $24 U.S., $29 foreign; 2-year
subscription: $44 U.S., $51 foreign; back issues: any 1-4
issues $3.50 each, discounts for 5 or more issues).
Collected Works - Serials (022)
PUB TYPE
Wilderness Medicine Newsletter; v11 n1-6 Jan-Dec 2000
JOURNAL CIT
MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage.
EDRS PRICE
*Accident Prevention; *Clinical Diagnosis; *First Aid;
DESCRIPTORS
Injuries; Medical Services; *Outdoor Activities; Outdoor
Leadership; Physical Health; *Preventive Medicine; Safety;
Training; Travel; *Wilderness; Wildlife
ABSTRACT
The six issues of Wilderness Medicine Newsletter published
nonphysician in remote
in 2000 provide medical and rescue information for the
wilderness areas. Feature articles include: "Lions & Tigers & Bears, Oh My!"
(Jeanne Twehous); "Calamity in the Unroofed Temple"
(wildlife precautions)
(Nicholas Howe); "Considerable Bad Luck?"
(collapse of a famous snow arch)
(Mike Jewell); "Unraveling Abdominal
(mountaineering accident and rescue)
and Cave
Pain: A Wilderness Diagnostic Approach" (Adam Oster): "Oral Fluids
Light on the Sunscreen Controversy: What
Rescue" (Keith Conover); "Shedding
Naylor); "Dehydration and
Sunscreen Can and Can't Do--and Why" (Mark F.
the
Associated Environmental Illness" (Andrea Geremia); "Leadership in
Prevention of Backcountry Injuries and Illnesses" (Sue Barnes); "'Lost
Help
Proofing': How To Avoid Getting Lost, and, If Lost, How To Be Safe and
Jellyfish,
Yourself To Be Found" (Nancy Lyons); "Stonefish and Sea Snakes and
Travel Bug?" (Sue
Oh My!" (Jeanne Twehous); "When the Shark Bites"; "Got the
also contain
Barnes); and "Don't Get Bugged in Bed" (Chris Lourigan). Issues
training, search and rescue
announcements of wilderness first aidand medical
training, training in backcountry skills and avalanche awareness, and
publications.
(SV)
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
from the original document.
Wilderness Medicine Newsletter, 2000:
For the Recognition, Treatment, and
Prevention of Wilderness Emergencies.
Volume 11, Numbers 1-6
January-December 2000
Holly A. Weber, Editor
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Educational Research and Improvement
PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION
DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS
CENTER (ERIC)
BEEN GRANTED BY
This document has been reproduced as
received from the person or organization
L Thompson
originating it.
Minor changes have been made to
improve reproduction quality.
TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Points of view or opinions stated in this
INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)
document do not necessarily represent
official OERI position or policy.
1
2
BEST COPY AVAILABLE
WMN
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p
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Volume 11, Number 1
ISSN-1059-6518
January/February 2000
LIONS & TIGERS & BEARS, OH MY!
By Jeanne TWehous, (W)EMT-B
are exceptional climbers, and even grizzlies-though not as
There is a general rule of [wild] animal behavior that says that
adept-have been known to climb high enough to snag their
animals are wary of strangers and are cautious regarding the
prey. (The highest a grizzly is known to have climbed during
unknown, therefore normally avoiding people and the places they
Bears are also extreme-
an attack is slightly less than 33 feet.)
inhabit.
ly powerful beasts so don't expect to outfight one. The aver-
There is a general rule of the cosmos that says that rules are made
age black weighs in at around 250 lbs (ranging between 125-
to be broken.
600 lbs) and the average grizzly at almost 500 lbs (normal
When in doubt, heed the latter .
.
. .
You won't find another animal that size
range is 350-700 lbs).
that is as powerful. Now ... add to all this the no fear" factor
For most of us who enjoy spending time in the backcountry,
of bears and you have a potentially very dangerous creature
at some point we will, consciously or otherwise, put ourselves
on your hands.
smack dab in the center of some wild creature's hearth and
Remember, though, that most of the danger around bears
home. What we have to remember is that we are the visitors,
lies in our inappropriate behavior while a guest in their homes.
rarely invited, and that the onus is on us to avoid an encounter
(For black bears, home generally means deciduous, coniferous,
that may end in the death of one or both of us.
or mixed forests and swamps; they may stake out a territory of
When traveling through bear country (which includes
-43 square miles to roam around in.
Grizzlies prefer more
almost every state in the US and province in Canada if you're
open areas on the edge of forests or scarcely forested areas
considering black bears and grizzlies/brown bears), you would
and arctic/alpine tundra. Their range is anywhere from 23 to
do yourself a service to keep some things in mind: Bears may
Though most references on bears will
870 square miles.)
be shy but they are also very curious creatures. They are quite
divide attacks on humans into "provoked" and "unprovoked,"
clever, capable of reason, learn quickly, and have an excellent
remember that EVERY attack is provoked from the bears point
single
memory. They are able to learn and remember from a
of view. You are either getting too close to their food supply-
experience. Their senses of hearing and smell are extremely
which they guard jealously and closely-or to their young-
keen. No animal has a more acute sense of smell-bears have
which they guard jealously and closely (mama black bears
been known to detect human scent more than 14 hours after a
sometimes seem to have a lesser maternal instinct than their
they can
person has passed by. Their hearing is so sharp that
grizzly counterparts and have been known to abandon their
detect normal human conversation from more than a quarter
cubs when danger was imminent). Though some attacks by
mile away. And their vision, once thought to be rather poor, is
both species have been found to be predacious in nature
now shown to possibly equal our own (though they are near-
(you're not getting too close to their food supply, you ARE their
sighted, bears can recognize form and detect movement at rel-
food supply), those attacks are rare and most likely to happen
atively long distances; their peripheral vision as well as their
when bears that are old
night vision is considered to be very reliable). Though they
and/or infirm are forced
seem to have a lumbering, clumsy gait, even if you're an
from their habitat and,
Olympic sprinter you can't outrun them-they can reach speeds
therefore, from their nor-
INSIDE
of 25-40 mph. Though they can't remain at those top speeds
mal food supply and must
for long, you won't outlast them either. Their endurance rivals
Calamity In The Unroofed
rely on whatever comes
their swiftness -they've been known to run for 10 miles with-
4
Temple
their way-including tasty
out a break. And don't be fooled by the old wives' tale that
6
Considerable Bad Luck
hikers and campers.
says bears can't run downhill; they are actually quite agile at
Most bear attacks in
descending hills at a rapid pace. And if you believe that bears
Back Cover
Calendar
can't climb trees, well, you're simply wrong. Adult black bears
(continued on next page)
January/February 2000
Wilderness Medicine Newsletter
3
protective of their cubs and have an extremely strong mater-
(Tears" continued)
Steer far clear of mom and babies if you spot
nal instinct.
the backcountry will occur because of sudden encounters
them in the distance.
between bear and man where both are surprised by the
Besides the backcountry, bear attacks most commonly
others presence. The "quiet" hiker, for instance, doesn't make
occur in state and national parks and campgrounds which see
enough noise to alert nearby bears to his presence thus giving
large numbers of visitors and, consequently, large amounts of
them sufficient time to vamoose. Most bears really don't want
garbage. Perhaps the most dangerous bear here is the habitu-
to have anything to do with you, and, if you give them enough
ated and the food-conditioned bear. Normally, bears, like most
warning that you're coming, they will leave the area. Typical
animals, will shy away from people. But, if a bear keeps com-
protocol used to be hanging bells from your pack when going
ing into contact with humans and there are no negative con-
into bear country as an attemptalbeit a feeble oneto alert
sequences (i.e., the bear comes to no harm), that bear will
any bears who might be in the area. In reality, it takes more
become used to people and will begin to tol-
If you are near rushing
than a little tinkle.
habituation.
resulting
erate
them,
in
water, in a strong wind, or in a dense forest,
So, how do you avoid
Remember that fleeing costs a bear energy,
the sound from a bell will not carry far. Also,
an encounter when you're in
and he won't do it unless he perceives that a
low frequencies are supposed to travel better
bear territory? And how do
threat exists. Even more dangerous is a habit-
around trees so the higher pitch of a dinging
know
you
when
an
uated bear that
is also food-conditioned.
bell is not going to be heard. Perhaps a bet-
encounter might become an
Ignorant campers and tourists may feed a
If a bear does
ter choice would be to use your deepest bass
attack?
bear, thinking that it's funny or cute, or they
voice to belt out every round of "99 Bottles of
charge, is there a way to tell
may leave food and/or garbage unattended
Beer on the Wall" as you traverse through the
whether or not it's bluffing?
at their campsite. The bear forms an associa-
Sing, scream, have
heart of bear country.
And, perhaps most impor-
tionpeople equals food. This is a truly dan-
loud vehement conversations with your com-
if you are attacked,
tantly,
Encounters with these bears
gerous animal.
panions, make any kind of racket you can,
how should you respond?...
are more often associated with injurious
but be aggressive about making noise. And
attacks than those encounters with non-food-
don't assume that a bell will save you unless
is these bears, too,
conditioned bears.
It
you're Quasimodo.
(along with the old and infirm) that are most likely to decide to
Another potential scenario for turning a bear encounter
eventually treat humans as prey. The 1960's research of John
into an attack is crowding a bear, i.e. getting in his personal
and Frank Craighead in Yellowstone National Park showed the
space. It's very exciting to see a bear in the wild, be it a black
relationship between food-conditioned bears and aggressive
bear or a grizzly. Very often, an awestruck human, forgetting
behavior. At the time, Yellowstone disposed of its garbage in
momentarily what he's dealing with, will attempt to get closer
open-pit dumps, and it was not uncommon to see over 50
to the bearperhaps to get a souvenir photograph or simply
bears at a time feeding at the dumpquite a phenomenal sight
just to get a better look. Bears in many ways are like humans.
as bears are mostly solitary creatures. The other thing that the
One thing we have in common is that we don't like to have
Craigheads noticed was how aggressive and violent these
our personal space invaded. As humans, we can let somebody
bears were towards one another as each perceived the others
know when they're too close with a look, a gesture, or simply
At the same time, these
as competition for their food supply.
Get too close to a bearand nobody
"get outta my face!"
bears had lost their fear of humans, and it was not unusual to
knows how close is too close ... it could be a few feet, it could
see bears scrounging in campgrounds and trailer parks for food
be a quarter mile, depending on the bear and the circum-
or garbage Considering the aggression shown by the bears at
stancesand you may never have another chance to invade
the dump and the park's system of waste disposal, it was no
anyone's space again.
wonder that before 1970 over half of all grizzly-bear inflicted
Another trait we have in common with bears is that we
injuries in national parks occurred in Yellowstone.
both like to eat (bears are omnivores, and, therefore, eat both
So, how do you avoid an encounter when you're in bear ter-
plants and animals like most humans), and neither of us is
And how do you know when an encounter might
ritory?
very happy when we are interrupted from our meals. Bears
become an attack? If a bear does charge, is there a way to tell
get particularly cranky, though, and, if you happen on to a
whether or not it's bluffing? And, perhaps most importantly, if
bear that is feeding (especially on a carcass which it perceives
you are attacked, how should you respond? Unfortunately, pre-
is an extremely dangerous situation.
as a special prize), it
dicting bear behavior is about as easy as predicting where and
Almost like protecting its young, a bear will defend a carcass
Although you can make general
when lightning will strike.
with a severe ferociousness that will likely end in an attack. As
assumptions about both, each will do exactly what it wants,
you hike, be alert to the smells around you. If an odor of rot-
unconcerned about what you think should happen. Bears, like
ting meat wafts by, you may want to make a detour.
humans, are individuals, and making predictions about one
The most dangerous encounter, of course, and one that is
bears behavior is akin to trying to predict how one person will
most likely to result in an attack, is an encounter with a sow
Although you can't know the
behave from observing another.
and her cubs. The mothers paramount objective in this situa-
absolute best way to respond in every situation, you can use
tion is the protection of her young, and she is a fierce defend-
your head, do some homework on bear behavior, and under-
er. She will stop at nothing to ensure the safety of her cubs
stand the things that CAN provoke attacks and try to avoid them:
and reduce the risk of threat to them, whether that threat is
If you plan to be in bear
Be prepared BEFORE you go.
Grizzly sows, especially, are devoted and
real or perceived.
4
January/February 2000
2
Wilderness Medicine Newsletter
believe the bear is preying on youhe drags you from your tent
country, know what type(s) of bears inhabit it and how to iden-
and/or sleeping bag or is relentless in the attack (most defen-
tify them (e.g., black bears aren't always black and grizzlies
Find out
sive attacks last only a few minutes), your only hope is to try to
aren't always brown or 'grizzled' in appearance).
get away from the bear. Fight for your life.and try to distract
about local bear activity before you go, and, if there have been
the bear so you can somehow escape. If it wants you for din-
Also, educate yourself
recent sightings, avoid those areas.
ner, playing dead is like giving yourself up as the entree.
If the
about bear behavior, habitat, tracks, feeding habits, etc.
attack is a defensive one though, (a mother protecting her
cubs), then playing dead may save your life. But wait until the
Always be alert as you hike, using all of your senses.
attack is imminent (the bear is standing over you) to drop and
Watch for signs of beartracks, scat, marks on trees, half-
roll up into a ball.
(It's best to keep your eye on the bear as
devoured salmon. Be alert to smells (of rotting carcasses) and
much as possible while he's charging.) The first two options
sounds. Expecting a bear at every turn is a good way to height-
may depend on what type of bear you're dealing with (be
en your senses.
If it's a black bear, being aggressive may scare him off;
sure!).
Make lots of noise as you hikeremember, a surprised
if it's a grizzly, attempt to be as non-threatening as possible. In
if you've surprised the bear and
either case, though,
bear is usually not a happy bear.
encroached into his private space, backing up and giving him
If you do see a bear, give it lots of space. Avoid the temp-
more room may be all that is needed. According to one theory
tation to get lust a bit closer to photograph or get a good look.
of bear behavior, the bear will decide before it charges whether
It may be your last good look at anything. And never, never
or not it is going to attack. If that's the case, then it doesn't mat-
intentionally feed a bear.
ter what you do! Say your prayers and remember the rule of
the cosmos ....
Keep bear attractants to a minimum, e.g., don't bring sar-
dines for lunch if you're traveling in bear country. Don't wear
REFERENCES
perfumes or deodorants or lotions with a strong scent.
Whether women that are menstruating attract bears has been
Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance by Stephen
If
a theory that has not been proven definitively either way.
Herrero. Nick Lyons Books, Winchester Press, 1985.
you are a woman having your period in the backcountry, make
sure that you practice good hygiene and keep used tampons
Safe 'navel in Bear Country by Gary Brown. Lyons and
and napkins in double ziplock bags just to be on the safe side
Burford, Publishers. 1996.
do not bury or attempt to bum them.
"Bear Necessities" by Todd Wilkinson. Audubon Magazine,
Hang food, garbage, and anything with a heavy odor as
July/August 1999. Pp. 54-61.
high and out of bear reach as possible (as far out on a limb as
it will go). Also, remember to hang bags as far away from your
Killer Bears by Mike Cramond, Times Mirror Magazine,
camp as possible so that if a bear does come looking for din-
Inc/Book Division, 1981.
ner, you won't necessarily be the first item on the menu.
Beauty In The Beasts, A Glimpse into the Private Lives of
Always be thinking about what you will do if the impos-
Bears by Jeff Rennicke. Backpacker Magazine, Sept 1992. P.36
Be on the lookout for possible escape routes
sible happens.
appropriate trees to climb (ones with small branches that could
hold your weight but not that of a grizzly). Don't consider water
The Wilderness Medicine Newsletter is intended as an
sources as escape routes, thoughbears are great swimmers.
informational resource only. Neither the WMN nor its
staff can be held liable for the practical application of
So what if the impossible happens and a bear does charge
any of the ideas found herein. The staff encourages all
you? Here are a few options to ponder:
readers to acquire as much certified training as possible
and to consult their physicians for medical advice on
1) Stand your ground or move slowly away while trying
personal health matters.
to intimidate the bear by shouting, yelling, banging pots
©2000 WILDERNESS MEDICINE NEWSLETTER, INC.,
together, etc.,
ISSN 1059-6518. All rights reserved. May not be repro-
duced without prior consent. Published six times a year.
2) Stand your ground or move slowly away but remain quiet
Subscriptions $24 per year, $44 for two years.
and attempt to be non-threatening,
Wilderness Medicine Newsletter, PO Box 3150, Conway,
NH 03818.
3) Immediately drop to the ground and play dead, rolling up
into a ball to protect vital organs, hands and arms cradling
Editor-in-Chief: Holly A. Weber.
head and neck,
Contributing Editors: Frank R. Hubbell, DO, Rebecca S.
Newton, Buck Tilton, Jeanne Twehous, Bryan Yeaton.
4) Turn and run!
Production by Conway Lithograph, Inc.
The last option is almost never an option. However, if you
3 J
January/February 2000
Wilderness Medicine Newsletter
CALAMITY IN THE UNROOFED TEMPLE
BY NICHOLAS HOWE
admirers from near and far; there was something about the
Ever since I can remember, a remote closet in our house has
dreadful grandeur of Tuckerman Ravine and the graceful relic of
held essential things that have outlived their need. There's an
winter still there in mid-summer that people found irresistible. By
ornate sword in there, the one great-grandfather Jenckes wore
that time, the snow arch had killed Sewall Faunce.
while parading with the Providence First Light Infantry. There's
also a complex device made of tin; it has a small tank with a filter
SEWALL FAUNCE
and three lamp wicks, each of which can be adjusted with a
JULY 1886
knurled brass wheel smaller than a dime. It's the power supply
for what my grandfather's generation called a magic lantern, a
CE. Philbrook kept lodgings in Shelbume, New Hampshire.
kerosene-burning slide projector. Camera lenses of the day some-
His place was called Grove Cottage, and on the morning of July
times made an image that was brighter at the center than at the
24, 1886, a group of eleven guests climbed aboard his mountain
edges, so the three wicks would be adjusted to burn at different
wagon and rode to Osgood's. Castle, a picturesque creation built
intensities and the magic lantern projected an evenly-illuminated
in Pinkham Notch where the Cutler River crossed the road. This
image against a bed sheet stretched across the living room wall. If
was the start of the trail up to Tuckerman Ravine, where Mr.
the room was large enough, the guests were in front of the sheet
It was a bright and
Philbrook's guests would view the snow arch.
and the magic lantern behind it; this was called a shadow play.
lovely day and they reached the ravine at two o'clock. Edwin
Those generations did not require the elaborate distractions
Home was the most experienced hiker in the party and he was
that fill our late twentieth-century days; there was not as much
accompanied by his wife, three other men, five other ladies, and
noise then, and one or two magic lantern shows in the course of a
young Sewall Faunce. The boy had Just turned fifteen, and his
summer would be remembered all winter long. The outdoor
parents back at Grove Cottage had entrusted him to the care of
Mr. Home.
equivalent of a magic lantern show was a hike up to the snow
The hikers were in high spirits when they reached the snow
arch in Tuckerman Ravine.
arch, and the weather, always uncertain on Mount Washington,
For a geologist, Tuckerman Ravine is easy to describe: it's a
was so fine that Mr. Home decided to climb on up to the summit
cirque cut by a local glacier that remained after the continental ice
of the mountain and walk down by the carriage road. When his
sheet melted. It was more than that for Starr King. He published
party reached the ravine, they saw the snow arch at the right side
The White Hills in 1859, and tells us that when he saw Tuckerman
and he knew the trail led up the headwall still farther to the right
Ravine, "One might easily fancy it the Stonehenge of a
Apparently not fatigued at all by the climb up from the valley, Mr.
Preadamitic race, the unroofed ruins of a temple reared by ancient
Home quickly scrambled up the trail above the rest of his party.
Anaks long before the birth of man, for which the dome of Mount
Everyone in the group knew that the snow arch melted gradu-
Washington was piled as the western tower" The public preferred
ally until the span could not sustain its own weight, then it would
Starr King's version.
fall and drop tons of ice on anyone underneath it. Accordingly,
The ridges on three sides of the unroofed temple act as snow
they did not climb up on top of the snow mass, but they did
fences and break the force of the winter winds. As with snow
scamper into that space which Ethan Allen Crawford thought
fences of every kind, the snow falls to the ground on the down-
might hold a coach and six. Even the most hesitant visitors are
wind side; in this case, into the ravine. The snow piles in from
tempted to do this; there's the deep cavern, the dashing water,
October until May, not just the ravine's own allotment but also the
and the twin contrasts between the cathedral darkness inside and
accumulation that's swept from the treeless uplands on three
the high blue sky at their backs, and between the frigid air in the
sides. By the middle of spring, the drift piled against the headwall
cavern and the heat of the day outside. Returning to that new
of the ravine may be more than 100 feet deep and compacted to
summer, the group found convenient rocks to sit upon while they
the consistency of glacial ice. There comes a time in early summer
contemplated the majesties on every hand.
when that headwall snowbank is all that's left . As meltwater
Meanwhile, RJ. Beach and F.D. Peletier were just leaving Hermit
from higher up cascades down behind it and tunnels through the
Lake, the glacial tam half a mile back along the trail. They were
icy mass, the snow arch is formed.
both from Hartford, Connecticut, and Mr. Beach was a cadet at
Ethan Allan Crawford discovered the arch in the summer of
West Point They'd arrived by the Raymond Path, eaten their
1829, and he was deeply impressed: "Such was the size of this
lunch at Hermit Lake, and started on up to the floor of the ravine.
empty space that a coach with six horses attached, might be dri-
They planned to view the snow arch, then climb to the summit of
ven into it. It was a very hot day, and not far from this place, the
the mountain.
little delicate mountain flowers were in bloom. There seemed to be
Mr. Lathrop, one of the single men, was standing next to Miss
a contrast snow in great quantities and flowers just by which
Pierce, one of the single women. Sewall Faunce was standing far-
wonderfully displays the presence and powers of an all-seeing and
ther away in front of them. Mr. Lathrop said a few words to
overruling God, who takes care of these little plants and causes
Sewall. A moment later he found himself thrown forward as if by
them to put forth in good season".
the hand of an unseen giant, and someone cried out, 'We are
Major Curtis Raymond was also impressed. He spent his sum-
killed! We are killed!' The snow arch had not collapsed, it had not
mers at the Glen House, and he thought there should be a way to
fallen down into the cavern; it had tipped over frontwards, toward
hike from the Glen up to the ravine to view the snow arch. In
the hikers Mr. Home had brought to the ravine.
1863, Mr. Raymond began to build a trail extending 3.3 miles
Mr. Home was about 400 feet up the trail on the headwall
from the carriage road to the snow arch, and he maintained it
when he heard the crash and looked down into a cloud of snow
until his death in 1893. By that time, the snow arch was drawing
6
January/February 2000
Wilderness Medidne Newsletter
and flying ice. At that moment, as one of the men later put it, We
\
;
looked around us to see who were lost and who were saved: Mr.
's
Ws
Home rushed back to his friends and found Miss Pierce trapped
by several blocks of ice. He heard his wife cry out, "Where's
Sewall?" Mr. Home answered, 'My god! Think of his father and
mother!" One of the other men remembered, "We did not dare to
think, we must do!"
Miss Pierce was upright, but buried to her waist in ice and snow
and unable to move. The men extricated her without much diffi-
culty, but she was shaken and in pain and they laid her out on a
nearby rock. Then they turned back to the enormous pile of
picking and
snow and broken ice, tons and tons of it, and began
prying at it with their walking sticks, trying to find Sewall. They
;--.,
iflaitinien
r....4....::.27:
could make no headway at all, so after a brief discussion Mr.
N-----74q,
Home decided to try to find help on the summit.
'
I. i.,. -.-.,
'
RJ. Beach and F.D. Peletier were just topping the rise above
..
Hermit Lake known as the Little Headwall. They were hurrying to
if
katea.
-.....1
. :
.1'
w
.
reach the summit but they were not sure of the way, so they were
0
, xe.,le.,,....
izt.--.1___
,,
1.4
.
,:{
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.1-5.,, S.,
glad when they met several ladies corning down and asked them
I
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ul ,
..,
,
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/:...---T-i...
.f.:./
about the trail. The ladies, however, were not much help. They
,
I.,
)
.
005
a
seemed distracted, they said they had to get to the bottom of the
A,
`-`,,,
:.fittrd.
mountain as fast as they could, and they said something about an
::..._
...
accident. The two young men hurried up to the huddle of people
/
4:.,...,..,.....,...
at the snowbank and quickly added their efforts to those helping
Miss Pierce.
Mr. Beach, the West Point cadet, asked her if she was hurt and
she said she was; he asked her to describe the pain and she said
it was in her back and she could not walk. Satisfied that her arms
and legs were not injured, the two young men took off their belts
and looped one under her arms and the other around her legs.
I SNOW ARCH IS AT BASE OF RAVINE HEADWALL
Hoisting her with this crude sling they started for the valley.
2 MISS PIERCE CARRIED OUT By WAY OF RAYMOND PATH
Mr. Home reached the summit in forty-five minutes, about half
3 MET WAGON AT 2-MILE ON CARRIAGE ROAD
the time usually needed for the steep rough hike. The summer-
Seven men started back up the headwall with the body, but
time population of the top of Mount Washington was consider-
the going was so difficult that one of them soon hurried on to the
able. The U.S. Army Signal Service acted as the national weather
summit to find a stretcher and recruit three more men. They
bureau in those days and their observers occupied one summit
rejoined the others just above the headwall of the ravine and
building. The Summit House was a full-service hotel with a large
regained the summit at 6:15. A doctor staying at Horace Fabyan's
roster of guests and help, some of whom stayed in the original
hotel had taken the late cog train to the summit, and he was puz-
Tip-Top House. The cog railway and the carriage road kept
zled to find scarcely a sign of injury anywhere on the boy's body,
employees on the summit, and another building was occupied by
though the sole of one shoe was partly torn off.
the publisher, editor, reporters, and pressmen of Among the
The women who started for the valley immediately after the
Clouds, the twice-daily newspaper published up there during the
accident brought the alarm to the Glen House, and Mr. Milliken,
summer season.
the keeper, organized a six-horse mountain wagon with fourteen
Mr. Home went straight to the Summit House with his terrible
intimation of
men and a doctor who would go two miles up the carriage road
news and, as a guest said later, it needed but the
to the point where the Raymond Path departed for the ravine.
human suffering and death to start a sympathetic and willing
Meanwhile, the West Point cadet, his hiking partner, and two
company to the rescue." The signal servicecorps men, employees
other men were making their way down with Miss Pierce, but they
of the hotel, the railway, and the road, and the entire staff of the
It could be worse, she
found the carry exceedingly difficult
newspaper all turned out and started down the mountain with
reminded them, and pointed out that she weighed only 112
axes, shovels, blankets, and "restoratives," which in the language
pounds. Thus encouraged, they struggled on down the Little
of the day usually meant brandy.
Headwall with the belt arrangement This proved so awkward for
The rescue party from the summit reached the trouble at 4:00
them and, they feared, so painful for the plucky Miss Pierce, that
P.M., just as four other men were leaving with Miss Pierce. Hope
they decided they could get only as far as Hermit Lake by night-
for Sewall's life still ruled and the summit group began chopping
fall. Three of them would stay there and one would go to the val-
and digging above the point where they were told he was
ley and return with provisions for the night, then they'd start out
entombed, but it quickly became obvious that their tools and
again in the morning
forces were inadequate. Someone suggested a tunnel and in
To their surprise, a relief party from the valley met them at
about four minutes one of the men uncovered Sewall's head,
Hermit Lake. There was a new telegraph connection from the
pressed against a rock. As they continued to dig they realized
summit to the Glen House and word of the accident reached the
that he'd been standing on top of a rock and was still in the same
valley immediately after Mr. Home reached the summit, a factorial
position, but jammed hard against another rock. There was, as
one of the men put it, no breath in his body.
( continued on next page )
January/February 2000
Wilderness Medicine Newsletter
BEST COPY AVAILABLE
CONSIDERABLE
The Unroofed Temple"... continued )
advance in the speed of communications. Now they determined
BAD LUCK?
Having
to improve the cany and press on through the evening.
improvised
no ax, they hacked down two trees with a shovel and
the West Point
a litter with their rain coats, their belts, and what
On October 23, 1999, a series of events occurred on a stormy,
cadet gallantly described as "the lady's gossamers." These would
snowy night in the northern Presidential Range of the White
have been her stockings, though no gentleman would use that
word lest he reveal too great a familiarity with a lady's legs.
Mountains of New Hampshire which narrowly skirted the edge of
Major Raymond's path left the carriage road at the two-mile
saving someone's Iffe at the expense of the safety of others. This
mark and gained 1,900 feet in 2.7 miles to reach the ravine, a
rescue scenario precipitated a media maelstrom in the greater New
rather moderate grade by local standards. The way was compli-
England area. For nearly two months the actions of Dr. Bernie
cated, however, by four stream crossings, two of them twenty feet
wide and all filled to the top of their banks this evening with the
Dahl's foray on Mount Washington were critiqued in search and
runoff of waning snows higher up. The rescue party's birch poles
rescue circles. Several issues were at the heart of the debate:
cracked twice and they stopped to cut new ones.
Dahl's choice of food, clothing, and equipment; his poor Judge-
A giant of a man joined them, and he held back branches and
ment in light of existing weather conditions; and his reliance on a
lifted blow-down trees out of the way that four other men togeth-
of the
er couldn't move. A large stone rolled onto the foot of one
cell phone. In his defense, Dr. Dahl recounted his version of the
the
crew and he was lost to the carry, but after three hours on
story in several papers including the Maine Times and the Conway
Raymond Path, RJ. Beach heard a shout from somewhere in the
Daily Sun. In his justification of his continuing his climb despite
darkness ahead of them.
adverse weather conditions and a bad knee, he does acknowledge
"Come and give us a aft," he called, and the answer came
It was the Glen House crew
ill-preparedness and improper equipment along with many other
back, 'I will if you'll hold my horse."
with the mountain wagon on the carriage road, and in a few
factors as having contributed to his ordeal. Among the reasons
in the
more minutes they had Miss Pierce eased onto a mattress
given, Dahl cited "considerable bad luck." What follows is a letter
wagon. They reached the Glen House at 9:15 P.M., just seven
in response to one of Dahl's explainations that ran in the Conway
hours after the accident.
Daily Sun on January 13, 2000. It is, perhaps, one of the best
' m hours later, the body of Sewall Faunce arrived at the Glen
House; it had been brought down the carriage road by mountain
"educational" reviews of the incident.
at
wagon. The next day, the grieving party gathered once more
Grove Cottage and composed a formal resolution of thanks to the
Dear Editor,
it by
many people who had helped them. Then they passed
Mr. Dahl's 'unlucky' experience on Mt. Washington pre-
unanimous vote.
sents the perfect opportunity to clarify a few issues relating
to hiking (I'll use the term 'climbing' because of Mt.
of AMC
From "Not Without Peril, Excerpts by permission
Washington's alpine character) in the White Mountains.
Check.www.out-
books. Publication is expected In April, 2000.
His misadventure offers this opportunity not only because
doors.org for details.
he made several classic and fundamental errors but also
Jackson, New
About the author: Nicholas Howe lives in
because he seems persistently unable to understand the
and
Hampshire, in the eastern shadow of Mount Washington,
even in hindsight. His story, from
nature of those errors
he writes:
beginning to end, is a common story of what not to do in
for the February
This book grew out of an article I wrote
Attraction"
the mountains and displays a typical and alarming inno-
1995 issue of Yankee Magazine that was titled "Fatal
Presidential Range.
regarding climbing on Mt.
even ignorance
and told of the terrible winter of 1994 on the
cence
been involved in
It drew letters and calls from people who had
Washington.
material
accidents on the range as far back as 1911, then more
Truly experienced and mature climbers are not usually the
in old archives and from
came from two years of blowing dust
people that need to be rescued on Mt. Washington. This is
of the back-
dozens of interviews as far away as Alaska. More
not a coincidence. Nor is it because they are 'luckier' than
hiking in the
ground for this book came from my own lifelong
other climbers. Instead, it is because they operate from a
grandfather.
White Mountains, a habit I got from my father and
position of great conservatism and they function on a firm
in various
From 1948 to 1953, I was working for Joe Dodge
foundation of knowledge. This does not mean that experi-
Mountain Club,
capacities and seasons with the Appalachian
gentle
enced climbers are immune to bad luck. Misfortune can
mostly as but crew at Madison and as a muleskinner, a
Those years with the
strike any of us at any time. However, experienced climbers
art now lost to the White Mountain trails.
by
4 AMC brought service on several rescues, a practice extended
substantially limit their risk by carrying appropriate gear, by
Idaho, where one of
two winters on the ski patrol at Sun Valley,
developing contingency plans, and by conservatively func-
of Iran.
my customers was the Empress
It is a
tioning within appropriate guidelines of behavior.
of the kind of skills
I've also been a most grateful consumer
myth recently created by the media that climbers are driven
in
I had severe accidents in difficult places
learned at SOLO.
purely by thrill and thrive on risky behavior. Mature
and 1995. EMTs
1978 and 1979, then another pair in 1993
climbers are masters at limiting risk.
undoubtedly saved my life
attended to me in each one, and they
Every excursion into the wilderness is inherently danger-
in two of them.
ous because we leave the support that civilization offers us.
8
January/February 2000
6
Wilderness Medicine Newsletter
mism, pessimism, and hope must depend on luck for their
the
The further we travel from food, hospitals, and shelter,
success. Expeditions that stand on solid foundations built on
In addition, the level of danger
more danger we are in.
realism, sane priorities, and preparedness depend on knowl-
increases as the conditions into which we are entering
edge and strategy for their success. Safety is never guaran-
Mt.
become increasingly adverse. Because the conditions on
teed. However, experienced and mature mountaineers stack
Washington are particularly inhospitable (the lack of trees
is
the odds overwhelmingly in their favor.
that go up there fol-
a clue), it is very important that climbers
When assessing Mr. Dahl's adventure in light of the
guidelines that
low some basic rules. Below are some of the
it becomes obvious that Mr. Dahl made at
above principles,
experienced and professional climbers follow while traveling
It becomes clear that he was
least several critical errors.
especially above tree line:
in the mountains
woefully unprepared for his trip, that his judgment was seri-
ously lacking, and that his misadventure was not primarily a
and
*They check the weather forecast before they leave
be worse than
result of bad luck. In addition, we can come to understand
are fully prepared for the weather to
why articles such as the one in the Conway Daily Sun or the
expected.
of
They leave wide margins of error in every aspect
Maine Times are misleading and thus might contribute to the
their excursions.
false security of future hikers.
than
They start early and leave significantly more time
Finally, in the midst of the recent discussion concerning Mr.
they thinkthey need to return_safely. (They never for-
Dahl's story, lies the issue of the use of cell phones. I can not
get that the climb is not over until they are back to
speak for other climbers but I will dare to guess that it is not
their car.)
the use of cell phones about which most climbers and res-
'They take more food, water, and clothing than they
.
cuers are concerned. Many of us now carry either phones or
think they need.
*They are prepared to spend the night; they carry
radios in case of an emergency. But it is important to under-
enough warm clothes to survive the worst possible tem-
stand that we do not use the presence of our cell phones as
for
peratures and winds that the mountain has to offer
justification for traveling into the mountains. We do not use
that time of year.
our cell phones as justification to forge ahead in the face of
'They make certain that someone knows EXACTLY
adverse conditions. And we do not use our cell phones to
where they are going and what trails they will use
wonder if Mr. Dahl
replace competence and preparedness.
and at what time they are expected to return. This
I
unless it is
as a justifica-
even subconsciously
was using his phone
means that they do not change plans
tion for continuing into the snow storm that almost killed him.
required for their safety.
'They choose a conservative turn-around time, and
THEY STICK TO IT.
Sincerely,
`They are alert to the approach of deteriorating condi-
Mike Jewell
tions, and they are readily willing to turn around.
(Note Mr. Dahl's persistence). Refusing to turn around
the
in the face of deteriorating conditions is perhaps
single most common and serious contributing factor to
professional moun-
About the author: Mike Jewell is a
mountaineering accidents. Climbers are faced with
through the
taineer and climbing guide who works
tremendous temptation to go forward.
Hampshire
Mountain Guides Alliance in Intervale, New
' They always "leave themselves an out:" At every
his belt. Mike
moment they have at least one plan of escape.
with twenty-five years of experience under
the
They carry all the gear they need that is relevant to
First Responder while
uses his skills as a SOLO Wilderness
this list
trip. On Mt. Washington, examples are (and
Rescue
serving on the climbing team of the Mountain
is not meant to be inclusive): a watch, a compass, a
Service in North Conway, New Hampshire.
goggles, and a
map, emergency gear, a head lamp,
could not have seen the
first aid kit. Excuses like,
New
Editor's Note: On December 29, 1999, the
compass anyway" are ridiculous.
along with the
Hampshire Department of Fish and Game,
For
*They proceed on a foundation of sane priorities.
and rescue com-
instance, they place their safety, the safety of their
support of the New Hampshire search
families
partners (and rescuers), and the love of their
Parks and
munities, the New Hampshire Division of
above their need to feel accomplished, important,
the New
Recreation, the New Hampshire State Police,
and heroic.
others, unveiled
Hampshire State Fire Service, and many
` They are brutally realistic while assessing their own
reduce the number of search
a two-pronged program to
condition and the condition of the environment. For
approach is
and rescue missions in the state. The first
example, they do not try to convince themselves
people to be more prepared
an educational effort to get
they feel better than they actually feel, that they are
the backcountry.
and more responsible for themselves in
stronger than they actually are, or that the weather is
of their legal abili-
The second part is the announcement
"not so bad".
They assume as little as possible. For instance, they do
leaders for res-
ty to charge individuals, groups, or group
not assume that the weather forecast is accurate, that
More information about
cues due to reckless actions.
the weather will get better, that conditions will be mild
New Hampshire Fish
this program can be found on the
in October (I), that rescuers will be available, etc.
and Game website at <www.wildlife.state.nh.us>.
Expeditions that stand on flimsy foundations built on opti-
January/February 2000
7
Wilderness Medicine Newsletter
WILDERNESS FIRST AID & MEDICAL TRAINING OPTIONS
Wilderness First Responder
S
LC
Mar. 1-10 Vertical Ventures, MI (517-336-0520)
PO Box 3150 Conway, New Hampshire 03818
Mar. 4-12 Ace Whitewater, WV (800-SURF-WFA)
Telephone: [phone], Mon-Fri 9am-4pm
Mar. 6-17 AMC Crawford, NH (603-466-2727)
vvwwstonehearth.com
Mar. 6-17 Conway, NH (603-447-6711)
Mar. 11-19 Sargent Camp, NH (603-525-3311)
Advanced Leadership & Emergency Care
Mar. 17-25 Garrett Coll., MD (301-387-3013)
(ALEC)...A combination of WFR, NREMT, WEMT and wilder-
Apr. 2, Harvard Univ. MA (617-495-7935)
Mar. 25
ness leadership skills, survival, rescue and more, this is ideal
Mar. 25
Apr. 4 Eagle Lake, CO (800-USEAGLEx141)
for the professional outdoor leader.
Apr. 1-9 Heathwood Hall, SC (803-343-0400x223)
July 21 Conway, NH (603-447-6711)
June 12
Apr. 3-14 AMC, NH (603-466-2727)
Apr. 10-21 Southwestern Corn Coll., NC (828-369-0591)
Outdoor/Wilderness Leadership School (OWLS)
Apr. 10-21 Conway, NH (603-447-6711)
The leadership module of the ALEC course...WFR or WEMT
Apr. 14-23 Hulbert OC, VT (802-333-3405)
required as prerequisite.
Apr. 16-22 Bates Coll., ME (207-777-7694)
Aug. 21-31 Conway, NH (603-447-6711)
Apr. 24 May 2 Outward Bound, FL (850-487-4365)
May 8-16 Mohican Outdoor Ctr, NJ (908-362-5670)
Wilderness EMT
May 9-18 Honey Rock Camp, WI (715-479-7474x206)
Mar. 6-31 Conway, NH (603-447-6711)
May 10-18 West Virginia Univ, WV (304-293-5221)
Apr. 10 May 5 Conway, NH (603-447-6711)
May 11-19 Camp Cosby, AL (800-852-6729)
May 15 June 9 Conway, NH (603-447-6711)
May 15-24 Unity Col, ME (207-948-3131)
July 24 Aug. 18 Conway, NH (603-447-6711)
May 15-25 Ear lham Col, IN (765-983-1327)
Oct. 6 Conway, NH (603-447-6711)
Sept. 11
May 26 June 4 Hulbert OC, VT (802-333-3405)
Nov. 10 Conway, NH (603-447-6711)
Oct. 16
Wilderness First Responder Review
Wilderness /Rural EMT Module
Mar. 25-26 Conway, NH (603-447-6711)
Apr. 5-9 Conway, NH (603-447-6711)
Apr. 15-16 Outward Bound, ME (800-341-1744)
July 16-20 Conway, NH (603-447-6711)
Apr. 22-23 Outward Bound, FL (850-487-4365)
Sept. 4-8 Conway, NH (603-447-6711)
Apr. 29-30 Highcountry Outfitters, TN (404-814-0999)
Apr. 29-30 App. Trail Conf., VA (540-544-7388)
Wilderness First Aid/WFR Recertification
May 8-9 West Virginia Univ., WV (304-293-5221)
Mar. 4-5 Middlebury Coll., VT (802-443-5264)
Mar. 4-5 Binghamton Univ., NY (607-777-6414)
Wilderness EMT Part 2
Mar. 4-5 Smith Coll., MA (413-585-6759)
Mar. 20-31 Conway, NH (603-447-6711)
Mar. 11-12 Vertical Ventures, MI (517-336-0520)
Apr. 24 May 5 Conway, NH (603-447-6711)
Mar. 11-12 Cleveland Metro, OH (216-341-1704)
July 10-21 Conway, NH (603-447-6711)
Mar. 11-12 Camp Eder, PA (717-642-8256)
Sept. 18-29 Conway, NH (603-447-6711)
Mar. 11-12 Bates Coll., ME (207-777-7694)
Mar. 16-17 Living Classrooms, MD (410-685-0295)
NORTH AMERICAN RESCUE INSTITUTE
Mar. 18-19 Paul Smith's Coil., NY (518-327-6389)
PO Box 3150, Conway, New Hampshire 03818
Mar. 22-23 CWLC, Bailey, CO (888-SAMBICA)
Telephone: [phone] Mon-Fri 9am-4pm
Mar. 24-26 Outdoor Excursions, MD (800-775-2925)
Mar. 25-26 Mountain Lynx, MA (800-307-0426)
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Mar. 25-26 Conway, NH (603-447-6711)
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Mar. 25-26 Ocean State Adv, RI (401-254-4000)
Search & Rescue
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Apr. 1-2 Univ. New England, ME (207-283-0171)
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Apr. 1-2 Bemidji State Univ, MN (218-755-3900)
June 10-11 Conway, NH (603-447-6711)
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Sept. 9-10 Conway, NH (603-447-6711)
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Sept. 15 Conway, NH (603-447-6711)
Aug. 21
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10
January/February 2000
8
Wilderness Medicine Newsletter